Easily removable orthopedic shoe platform

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an orthopedic device adapted for application to the shoe of a patient having partial paralysis or other infirmities which may induce weak or rolling ankles or a tendency for foot drop and which will provide ankle and foot support, said device being easily attached and removed by the patient with one usable hand or by another party.

United States Patent 1191 Lebold 1451 Sept. 10,1974.

1 1 EASILY REMOVABLE ORTHOPEDIC SHOE PLATFORM [76] Inventor: SteveLebold, 45 Church St.,

Montclair, NJ. 07042 22 Filed: Sept. 19,1973

211 Appl.No.: 398,660

[52] US. Cl. 128/80 H, 128/166, 36/25 F, 36/75 [51] Int. Cl. A611 3/00[58] Field of Search.... 128/80 H, 80 R, 80 A, 80 B,

128/80 J, 166, 166.5, 83, 581, 583, DIG. 15;.

36/25 F, 7.5; Z/DIG. 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 713,912 11/1902 Nathan...

946,846 1/1910 McDonnell 36/7.5 1,350,944 8/1920 3,073,305 l/19633,407,811 10/1968 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 50,082 3/1910 Austria128/80 H Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-4. YaskoAttorney, Agent, or Firm-I. Louis Wolk j [57] ABSTRACT This inventionrelates to an orthopedic device adapted for application to the shoe of apatient having partial paralysis or other infirmities which may induceweak or rolling ankles or a tendency for foot drop and which willprovide ankle and foot support, said device being easily attached andremoved by the patient with one usable hand or by another party.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures mzmgu SEP 1 0 m4 same; 3

FIG. 6

EASILY REMOVABLE ORTHOPEDIC SI IOE PLATFORM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPatients suffering various degrees of paralysis in their lower limbsexhibit various foot troubles such as ankle weakness, drop foot, fallenarches and the like which result in inward or outward rolling of thefoot or inability to raise the foot to horizontal level when walking.Various means have been provided in the past for corthe sole of a footis formed of heavy leather, sheet plasrecting this problem generallyinvolving the incorporation of a rigid supporting member within a shoeor similar device into which the foot of the patient is placed and whichincorporates a rigid member positioned to support the ankle, or alifting means designed to exert pull on the front of the foot to keep itin elevated position when walking. Such devices are shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 1,350,944, 3,308,829, 3,527,209 and the like. Such devices havecertain disadvantages in addition to the expense of designing specialshoes for the purpose, such disadvantages being discomfort during use,difficulty in putting on and off by a partially paralyzed person,excessive weight and similar factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the purpose of the present invention toprovide a platform into which can be positioned an ordinary shoe worn bya patient, which is relatively light, flexible and can easily be put onand removed with one hand by a patient or by anyone else. This platformincorporates rigid ankle supports to prevent rolling either inward oroutward or both and can at the same time prevent foot drop byrestricting downward movement of the foot or by providing an upward pullon the front portion of the foot. Easy positioning and removal isprovided by means of flexible heel supports and cooperating fastenerssuch as the hook and loop fabric type positioned both on the innerportion of the heel support and the shoe. Adjustable bracing means areprovided so that the support may be used with various sized shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. Us a view in perspective showing theform of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 prior to positioning of ashoe worn by a patient.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one form of my invention with a shoepositioned therein, as it would be in use.

FIG. 3 is a view partially in cross section taken along lines 33 of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3,illustrating the structure of the ankle supporting member.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of another form of the invention with ashoe in position as it would be in use.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the form of invention shown in FIG. 5before positioning the shoe.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a further form of the invention priorto positioning and supporting of a shoe therein.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing the device of FIG. 7 with theshoe positioned therein.

Referring now to the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a platform10 shaped generally to conform to tic or similar sheet material,preferably flexible but with sufficient rigidity to be shape retainingand self supporting. A toe enclosing member 11 is attached to the frontedge of 10 and so shaped and dimensioned as to enclose the toe of a shoeto be positioned on the platform. A vertical ankle supporting member 12is attached to the platform by means of plate 13 affixed by rivets orbolts as shown. Members 12 and 13 may be formed of a single piece ofmetal or rigid plastic and formed at right angles to provide the baseportion 13 and vertical member 12. Base member 13 may be laterallyadjustable by using bolts to fasten it to the platform through slots topermit a certain degree of adjustment to permit close engagement of 12with the ankle of a user.

As shown in FIG. 4, member 12 may be padded by applying a cushioninglayer 15 of sponge rubber or plastic, or other padding material coveredwith a layer of flexible vinyl plastic or cloth 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, heel supporting member 14 formed of flexibleand resilient sheet material such as leather, plastic or cloth isattached to the rear portion of the platform and shaped to engage theheel portion of a shoe. Interiorly of member 14 is mounted one componentof a two part hook and loop fabric fastening unit known as Velcro and onthe shoe which is positioned on the platform a corresponding layer ofthe other component of this fastening means is provided. This isillustrated on the folded over portion 14a of FIG. 2 which shows theVelcro areas 17 on 14 and 17a on the heel area of the shoe 18, a similararea is provided on the opposite interior portion of 14 and the oppositeheel portion of the shoe. By this means one using the platform need onlyfold back heel portion 14, insert the foot with shoe on the platformwith the toe of the shoe inserted into toe member 11 and then press heelmember 14 with its fastening members against corresponding areas on theheel of the shoe. This can be easily done with one hand. Member 19 isprovided to facilitate pulling the platform in position or for detachingmember 14 before removing the shoe.

Velcro is the registered trademark of the Velcro corporation, T.M.661700, for goods described as A synthetic material sold in ribbon,sheet or piece goods form, said material having complemental parts whichadhere to each other when pressed together and adapted for use as aclosure fastener or button for closing garments, curtains or the like.It is formed of Nylon or other plastic elements in the shape of hooks onone component and loops on the other as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,717,437, 3,147,528, and others. The segments of this material may beattached by sewing or adhesives. The degree of attachment will depend onthe area of Velcro provided. In general a contact area of one or twosquare inches is adequate. Other types of fasteners may also be usedsuch as snap fasteners, clips,

or the like.

sponding fastening areas on the shoe, as shown at 26 and 27. If desired,the platform member may be preformed with a slight upward curvature atthe toe to ensure engagement with the ground while walking to counteractany tendency for foot drop.

A further modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 inwhich elongated ankle supports are provided to extend beyond the anklein a manner to provide support above the ankle. A disassembled view isshown in FIG. 7 with platform having toe engaging portion 31 andflexible heel portion 32 attached thereto. A rigid U-shaped anklesupporting member 33 is affixed to the platform at the areacorresponding to the arch of the foot with'its vertical arms 34 and 35extending upwardly at right angles to the base 36 and being long enoughto extend above the ankles of a wearer as shown in FIG. 8. These armsare covered with leather or other suitable padding material. The shoe 37worn by the patient is provided with Velcro" or the like fastening areas38,380, 39, and 39a positioned adapted to engage corresponding areas onthe heel and ankle support means respectively as shown at 40 and 40a,and 41 and 41a. In order to give additional support for the elongatedankle braces, fastening means to be applied above the ankles isprovided. This is in the form of a strap member 42 provided with a pairof side loops 43 and 44, and having Velcro fastening members 45, 45aattached at the ends thereof, one component at the inside surface andthe other at the outside surface. Heel member 32 is provided with a loopmember 46 and ankle brace members are provided with Velcro fasteningareas 47 and 47a at the outside surface thereof above the ankle area, asshown. Members 34 and 35 are provided with flaps. 48 and 49 on the outersurface of which near the end, are provided Velcro areas 50 and 50acomplementary to areas 47 and 47 1, respectively.

When the patient wearing the shoe wishes to attach the platform devicehe inserts the toe of the shoe into member 31, affixes heel member 32,attaching areas 40 and 40a to areas 38 and 38a and areas 41 and 41a toareas 39 and 39a. Strap member 42 is then positioned through loop 46 andaround the ankle and ankle supports 34 and 35 passing through loops 43and 44. Flaps 48 and 49 with the Velcro areas 50 and 50a engagingcomplimentary areas 47 and 47a are then positioned over loops 43 and 44.The ends of the strap are then firmly fastened at the front of the ankleby engaging Velcro areas 45 and 45a.

The finally assembled unit is shown in F IG. 8. On disassembly, the shoeis easily removed by detaching the ends of the straps and flaps 48 and49-. Heel member 32 is then pulled from the shoe and the user can easilyremove the shoe while on his foot from the device.

The sole portion of the device may be so shaped that it will accomodateeither the left or the right shoe in order to provideinterchangeability.

As the foregoing description shows, a patient with foot problems of thetype described can easily utilize this device while wearing any normaltype of shoe, provided the fastening means referred to has been appliedto the shoe. The type of detachable fasteners referred to permit easyattachment and detachment by the user merely by exerting a pull on theheel member and on the strap members referred to. In use the device maybe worn while walking or resting with the desired ankle and foot supportprovided by the rigid members and by the semi-rigid nature of the soleportion in cooperation with the normal rigidity of the shoe.

I claim:

1. An orthopedic device for alleviation of foot problems, whichcomprises a flat base member, conforming generally in shape to the soleof a shoe and having a toe engaging member and a heel engaging memberposition thereon, a shoe positioned upon said platform and engaged bysaid heel and toe members, a rigid upwardly extending member affixed tosaid base member at the side thereof intermediate to the heel and toeengaging members positioned to be in alignment and supporting engagementwith the ankle of a foot within said shoe, and means affixed to the heelof the shoe adapted to engage attaching means on said heel engagingmember for detachable engagement therewith.

2. An orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the attachingmeans affixed to the heel of the shoe is one component of a fabric hookand loop fastening member and the attaching means affixed to the heelengaging member is the other component of said fastening memberpositioned interiorly thereof opposite the component of the shoe.

3. An orthopedic device according to claim 2, wherein the heel engagingmember is flexible and movable away from the heel of the shoe whereby itis readily detached therefrom.

4. An orthopedic device according to claim 2, wherein the affixing meansis attached to the heel of the shoe at a plurality of spaced areasthereon.

5. An orthopedic device according to claim 1,

wherein a pair of rigid ankle supporting members is provided, eachpositioned at opposite sides in order to support both sides of theankle. 6. An orthopedic device according to claim 5, wherein the rigidankle supporting members extend upward substantially above the normalposition of the ankle, and a strap member is detachably positionedaround the upper portion of said rigid members and adapted to extendaround the front of the foot above the ankle, 'said strap memberengaging an extension of said heel supporting member thereby providingsupport for said foot above the ankle.

7. An orthopedic device according to claim 6, wherein the shoe comprisesone component of a hook and loop fabric fastening device affixed to eachside of its heel area, said heel engaging member comprising the othercomponent of said hook and loop fastening device affixed interiorlythereof opposite said heel areas of said shoe, and said rigid membershaving affixed to the upper portions thereof similar hook and loopfastening elements, said strap member having corresponding hook and loopelements affixed thereto for attachment to said upper portion of saidrigid members.

8. An orthopedic device according to claim 7, wherein said upwardlyextending rigid members are provided with flexible extensions, having afastening component of the hook and loop type thereon, said flat membersadapted to be positioned over said straps when it is in positionedaround the foot and engaging corresponding hook and loop components onsaid rigid members below said strap to form detachable loops holdingsaid strap in position and wherein said heel extension comprises a loopthrough which said strap passes.

9. An orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid memberis laterally adjustable.

10. An orthopedic device according to claim 5, wherein the upwardlyextending rigid members are laterally adjustable with respect to eachother.

1. An orthopedic device for alleviation of foot problems, whichcomprises a flat base member, conforming generally in shape to the soleof a shoe and having a toe engaging member and a heel engaging memberposition thereon, a shoe positioned upon said platform and engaged bysaid heel and toe members, a rigid upwardly extending member affixed tosaid base member at the side thereof intermediate to the heel and toeengaging members positioned to be in alignment and supporting engagementwith the ankle of a foot within said shoe, and means affixed to the heelof the shoe adapted to engage attaching means On said heel engagingmember for detachable engagement therewith.
 2. An orthopedic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the attaching means affixed to the heel ofthe shoe is one component of a fabric hook and loop fastening member andthe attaching means affixed to the heel engaging member is the othercomponent of said fastening member positioned interiorly thereofopposite the component of the shoe.
 3. An orthopedic device according toclaim 2, wherein the heel engaging member is flexible and movable awayfrom the heel of the shoe whereby it is readily detached therefrom. 4.An orthopedic device according to claim 2, wherein the affixing means isattached to the heel of the shoe at a plurality of spaced areas thereon.5. An orthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of rigidankle supporting members is provided, each positioned at opposite sidesin order to support both sides of the ankle.
 6. An orthopedic deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the rigid ankle supporting members extendupward substantially above the normal position of the ankle, and a strapmember is detachably positioned around the upper portion of said rigidmembers and adapted to extend around the front of the foot above theankle, said strap member engaging an extension of said heel supportingmember thereby providing support for said foot above the ankle.
 7. Anorthopedic device according to claim 6, wherein the shoe comprises onecomponent of a hook and loop fabric fastening device affixed to eachside of its heel area, said heel engaging member comprising the othercomponent of said hook and loop fastening device affixed interiorlythereof opposite said heel areas of said shoe, and said rigid membershaving affixed to the upper portions thereof similar hook and loopfastening elements, said strap member having corresponding hook and loopelements affixed thereto for attachment to said upper portion of saidrigid members.
 8. An orthopedic device according to claim 7, whereinsaid upwardly extending rigid members are provided with flexibleextensions, having a fastening component of the hook and loop typethereon, said flat members adapted to be positioned over said strapswhen it is in positioned around the foot and engaging corresponding hookand loop components on said rigid members below said strap to formdetachable loops holding said strap in position and wherein said heelextension comprises a loop through which said strap passes.
 9. Anorthopedic device according to claim 1, wherein the rigid member islaterally adjustable.
 10. An orthopedic device according to claim 5,wherein the upwardly extending rigid members are laterally adjustablewith respect to each other.